The 10 Most Anticipated Next-Gen Video Games of 2014-15

The year 2014 is now upon us, and while 2013 was a great year for gamers, namely due to the next-gen console releases, 2014 and beyond may turn out to be even better. Now that the consoles have an install base, and developers are fine tuning their processes for building games on the new platforms, more and more amazing gameplay experiences should begin to pop up for both the Xbox One and PS4. When you really think about it only a handful of true next-gen titles have been released for each system, with both of them having catalogues that feature more ports of the current-gen console games than brand spanking new titles.

This stagnation should begin to clear in 2014 thanks to the planned releases of some of the coolest looking games that were shown off for both consoles during their reveals. In particular, there’s ten games that are coming out in 2014, or early 2015, that most console gamers are highly anticipating. Some come from long established franchises, while others are brand new IPs, so head on down below to find out which games coming out for the next-gen consoles will be the talk of the town when they finally release.

10. Sunset Overdrive

This very violent looking animated shooter promises to mix high-octane parkour action with tight shooter gameplay. It looks like Mirrors Edge had a baby with Team Fortress 2 and then got invaded by alien zombies. How can that concept not kick ass? Considering it’s from the creators of the Ratchet and Clank and Resistance series, there’s no doubt that it’ll be a top-notch title with next-gen visuals and flare. At this time it’s still an Xbox One exclusive, so if you want to zip across town while blowing the heads off of monsters you’ll have to grab Microsoft’s latest console.

9. Project Spark

This video game development tool disguised as a game has the potential to spawn user created worlds with the same scope and fervor as those found in Minecraft. Anytime a game promises to teach you an actual skill, such as level design, or how to program an AI character, it can’t be a bad thing. Project Spark should give any creative gamer the tools they need to fully create their own working video game that other gamers can download and enjoy. If you like playing in a video game sandbox that offers you a blank canvas to create, then Project Spark will surely give you the tools you need to be entertained.

8. Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare

If there were an award for the most charming looking next-gen game coming out in 2014 PopCap’s PvZ: GW would take the prize. This FPS take on the PvZ formula is one of the most fun looking games we saw at E3 in 2013, and the team behind it has made sure that all of the wackiness from the series will be present in this new spin on the franchise. A majority of the hero plants return as class-based warriors, just like you’d see in a traditional war game like Battlefield 4. The troublesome brain munchers are making a return as well, with a few favorites coming back as boss battles to challenge your team’s ability to strategize. If you’ve been looking for a different type of online competitive shooter PvZ: GW may just be the ticket.

Platform(s) – Xbox One, Xbox 360/No word on other platforms at this time

7. inFAMOUS: Second Son

One of the bigger let downs of the PS4’s launch was the fact that Sucker Punch’s inFAMOUS: Second Son wasn’t ready to ship with the console. Many PS fans were looking forward to having an exclusive launch game for the PS4 that couldn’t be played anywhere else, but that never panned out thanks to development delays. Regardless of its tardiness, Second Son is shaping up to be a killer experience for Sony’s new console. Its visuals exude a next-gen feel, and the gameplay looks slick.

Cole isn’t the main character this time around, so you’ll get a chance to live in his universe as someone else to open up a whole new gamut of super powers and parkour tricks to use. Second Son is definitely a solid reason to own the PS4 in 2014.

6. Watch_Dogs

Watch_Dogs has a had a rough go lately thanks to Ubisoft’s decision to delay it only a few weeks before it was supposed to be released. Many gamers purchased the Xbox One, or PS4 to play this game specifically, so when it got pushed into 2014, many early adopters were left with a meager lineup of next-gen titles to play.

Production delays aside, Watch_Dogs has had the video game community’s collective attention since its debut during E3 2012. It’s open world gameplay focuses more on gadgetry and modern day Big Brother tactics to ensure success, helping to set it apart from the Grand Daddy of all open world crime game franchises – Grand Theft Auto. Everything shown from it looks great so far, so here’s hoping Ubisoft’s delay yields an even more awesome experience than everyone first expected.

5. Uncharted 4

Drake and the Uncharted franchise helped to define the PS3 era, and offered some of the best gameplay moments on that console over three different titles. It was inevitable that Naughty Dog would announce a new entry for the series on the PS4, so when they finally did confirm it with a teaser trailer, Drake fans let out one big collective “YES!” At this time there are almost no details about Uncharted 4 (that’s not even a confirmed name) outside of the fact that more news about it will be revealed sometime in 2014. With that being said there’s a great chance that this sequel won’t ship until sometime in 2015, so don’t get your hopes up too much if you’re a mega-fan of the series. Considering Naughty Dog’s pedigree, there’s a great chance that this game will be a GOTY candidate when it finally does release though.

4. The Order 1886

One of the most impressive trailers to come out of Sony’s E3 2013 presser was for The Order 1886. This immaculate looking new IP is set in an alternate version of Victorian-Era London where Knights use advanced technology to combat a cross breed of humans who exhibit ethereal powers. The concept is so unique and new that The Order 1886 can’t suck. The whole spin on King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table seems quite interesting, and anytime you can shoot big ass guns that don’t necessarily belong in the era they’re being used is a great thing. This game also boasts some of the best looking next-gen console visuals to date, so there’s a great chance it’ll be something special once it finally releases.

3. Halo 5

Halo 4 did a great job at kicking off the newest Halo trilogy of games, so there was no doubt that Microsoft and 343 would continue the franchise on the Xbox One. The whole Forerunner storyline is full of intrigue and wonder that was only touched on in Halo 4, so it’ll be interesting to see where the Master Chief goes next. Based on the teaser trailer for Halo 5 (working title) it looks like he may be getting his Mad Max on in some desert wasteland, but why? That’s the question all Halo fans will be eagerly waiting to have answered once this game ships. Is he searching for a way to bring back Cortana? Is he figuring out just how big of a role he and other humans will have in the galaxy after the Didact tried to attack Earth?

If you love sci-fi storytelling you’ll surely be entertained with the next Halo game. Besides, it’ll still have an award winning multiplayer component to keep you busy if you’re not into FPS campaigns.

2. Titanfall

Respawn’s Titanfall has already been crowned game of the generation by many media outlets and gamers who have seen it in action. It really is a stunner of a game, packing in next-gen visuals and a scope that hasn’t been realized in FPS multiplayer thanks to the massive Titans. Watching pilots jet pack themselves around the map while their Titans respawn and avoiding enemy fire is frenetic excellence. Even the simple joy of watching a Titan pick up its driver, or rip an enemy driver out of the cockpit, is worth the price of admission.

Considering that Respawn is merely Infinity Ward 2.0, there’s a great chance that they’ll bring the same level of polish to the Titanfall franchise that they did with Call of Duty, which many members of the new studio helped to create and turn into the juggernaut it is today. The lack of a true single-player campaign may turn off some gamers, but with all of the love Titanfall is getting now there’s no way it won’t be one of the best games to play in 2014.

1. Destiny

The more that gets shown about Destiny the more it seems to intrigue gamers. This futuristic MMO will be a welcomed addition to the console landscape considering that the platform has never really had an MMO-style game before. The fact that it’s a Bungie designed game bodes well for it too. This team of talented individuals invented one of the most popular video game franchises of all-time in Halo, so why shouldn’t the gaming public expect the same level of greatness in Destiny? The ability to craft your own unique character and travel the galaxy on missions with friends or strangers definitely sounds like a hobby that could keep a few gamers glued to their chairs for far too long. From what has been shown Destiny looks immaculate, and based on Bungie’s FPS pedigree there’s no doubt that it’ll control perfectly.

The fact that Bungie has said that it designed this game from the beginning to be cross-platform compatible is something to be excited about as well. Just imagine finally being able to play a game with other friends and gamers who don’t own the exact same system as you? This openness will surely lead to an increase in participation, and could establish another stalwart gaming community courtesy of Bungie. The amount of content and scope is enough to keep this game running for years, so that mixed with Bungie’s track record is why Destiny is the number 1 most anticipated next-gen title.

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